The deposits of coal and fossil fuels seem now to be the concern of scientists who advise that they be abandoned as soon as possible, to avoid that the global average temperature rises above the fateful “+1.5 ° C”, imposed by the agreements of Paris as a “point of no return.” If the use of coal is not abandoned by 2050, scientists predict a great catastrophe.
Scientists advise abandoning coal use by 2050 or risk catastrophe
According to a recent study published in the journal Nature , most of the world’s fossil fuels should be viewed as no longer extractable and must remain underground so that climate change does not further worsen the situation in the coming decades.
For example, nations like Indonesia and Australia , which are among the world’s leading coal exporters, will have to give up around 90% of their coal fields by 2050, in order not to exceed the so-called ‘Paris agreement limit’ on the climate, that is, the net increase of more than +1.5 ° C in global temperatures (a limit to which we are already dangerously close).
The same will have to be done by the nations of the Middle East and especially the United States, which will have to say goodbye to at least 97% of its coal and its exploitation . Obviously, these are just some of the countries that have the most work to do, but in reality each government must do its part, even the smallest or the least polluting.
Goodbye to the use of coal?
According to the analysis reported by scientists, the entire planet will have to say goodbye to coal in the coming decades, to avoid the inevitable rise in global temperatures. Obviously, the discourse will extend to other types of fossil fuels , on which we still so desperately depend.
The study authors say that after 2050 , the only thing that will still be worth using fossil fuels will be the production of raw materials and for the petrochemical industry.
In general, an energy transition must be achieved on a global scale , a complex and almost impossible project, but necessary. To do this, in the research published in Nature, we can read how governments are advised to discourage this dependence on fossil fuels , perhaps developing policies that reduce demand, through higher taxes and bans, and promoting alternative and less polluting sources.
A problem that more and more nations and private companies are taking seriously and that is expected to really make a difference for our children and for our children’s children.
